Key holder

ABSTRACT

A key holder comprising a key ring formed from a length of resilient wire stock and bent to provide a loop and a pair of leg portions, a discoidal body formed of plastic, means for mounting a flat, indicia-bearing element on at least one side of said body, means for detachably engaging said key ring leg portions within said body inwardly of the indicia-bearing member, and a leg retainer provided interiorly of said body for accepting said ring legs to prevent contact between same and the indicia-bearing member.

United States Patent Emil W. Kamp 242 Palm Drive, Hazelwood, Mo. 63042 [21] App]. No. 65,387

[22] Filed Aug. 20, 1970 [45] Patented Aug. 17, 1971 [72] Inventor [54] KEYHOLDER 7 Claims, 8 Drawing Figs.

[52] US. Cl 70/459 [51] A44b 15/00 [50] Field of Search 70/457, 7 459, 456 R; 133/6; 150/40; 24/3 K [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,045,469 7/ 1962 Rentscher 70/459 3,126,729 3/1964 Leopoldi 3,266,501 8/1966 Henkey 133/6 3,367,157 2/1968 Woofter 70/459 FOREIGN PATENTS 1,505,852 11/1967 France 70/459 Primary Examiner-Robert L. Wolfe AnarneyRalph W. Kalish ABSTRACT: A key holder comprising a key ring formed from a length of resilient wire stock and bent to provide a loop and a pair of leg portions, a discoidal body formed of plastic, means for mounting a flat, indicia-bearing element on at least one side of said body, means for detachably engaging said key ring leg portions within said body inwardly of the indiciabearing member, and a leg retainer provided interiorly of said body for accepting said ring legs to prevent contact between same and the indicia-bearing memberv PATENTED AUG] 1 I97! 3,599,457

INVENTOR EMIL. W. KAMP ATTORNEY KEY HOLDER BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This invention relates in general to portable article retaining devices and, more particularly, to a pocket key holder constituted of a body adapted to carry advertising and like material and a key ring detachably engaged thereon.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a key holder incorporating a key ring formed from a length of resilient wire stock and a body detachably engageable with said key ring; and wherein the ends ofsaid ring are received internally within the body, thereby being obscured from view during usage, being of the type disclosed in my copending application Ser. No. 808,275, filed Mar. 18, 1969.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a key holder of the type stated wherein the body is adapted to receive flat, indicia-bearing elements, and means for preventing the received key ring legs from disruptive engagement with said indicia-bearing elements during usage.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a key holder of the type stated wherein the body integrally incorporates retainers for the key ring legs.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a key holderof the type stated which is adapted to securely maintain keys thereon and wherein the engagement between said key ring and the body conduce to a reliably stable interengagement thereby preventing unauthorized accidental displacement of the keys thereon.

It is a still further object of the present invention to provide a key holder of the type stated which is especially designed for inexpensive manufacture; which is durable and reliable in usage, which is particularly adapted to prevent loss of the indicia-bearing elements so that the said holders are suited for advertising and promotional purposes; and which is of lightweight so as to avoid imposing an unduly heavy bulk upon the users pockets; and which is adapted for high volume, rapid production.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. 1 is a front plan view of a key holder constructed in accordance with and embodying the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a side view.

FIG. 3 is a vertical transverse sectional view taken on the line 3-3 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a horizontal transverse sectional view taken on the line 4-4 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a rear plan view.

FIG. 6 is a side view of a key holder constructed in accordance with and embodying the present invention, incorporating another form of leg retaining means.

FIG. 7 is a vertical transverse sectional view taken on the lines 7-7 ofFIg. 6.

Flg. 8 is a horizontal transverse sectional view taken on the line 8-8 of FIG. 6.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PRACTICAL EMBODIMENTS Referring now by reference characters to the drawings which illustrate practical embodiments of the present invention, A generally designates a key holder comprising a key ring 1 and a unitary discoidal body 2. Said key ring 1 is formed from a length of resilient wire stock bent to define a loop or parti-annular section 3 for receiving keys (not shown) and a pair of legs 4.4 each of which, at their end extremity or outer terminal. is flared slightly outwardly, as at 5,5, respectively. At their inner ends, immediately adjacent loop 3, legs 4,4 are bent inwardly toward each other, as at 6,6, to form a relatively narrow neck n. Between its outer terminal 5,5, as the case may be, and its neck portion 6.6. each leg 4,4 is curved or ar cuated outwardly away from each other. as at 7,7, respectively. For purposes presently appearing, the resilient nature of the material of construction of key ring 1 will allow legs 4,4 to be urged toward and away from each other but with the development of expected stress.

Body 2 is formed, preferably by molding, from butyrates, which plastics have been found to have the desired strength and lightness of weight especially suitable for the present invention. Body 2, as stated, is of general discoidal configuration embodying a rim portion r comprising an outer or peripheral sidewall 8 having its end faces beveled, as at 9,9, for borderdefining purposes, as will be set forth; hereinbelow. The inwardly directed surfaces of said beveled margins 9,9 are provided with a continuous undercut 10,10, respectively; with an inner sidewall 11 of substantially like depth as said outer sidewall 8 being presented between undercuts 10,10 (see FIG. 4).

Provided for disposition transversely of body 2 and within rim r is a flat, annular, indicia-bearing, platelike member 12, which may be formed of paper or the like, and carries on its exposed face, design and/or textual matter, as for advertising and promotion purposes. Said member 12 is of sufficient cross section for projection of its peripheral margin into the proximate undercut 10. Coveringly disposed over said member 12 is a transparent window or lens 13, as fabricated of clear plastic, with its margin received within the said undercut 10. Received within undercut 10 are the marginal portions of a backing member 13 which, if desired, may be flat or transversely arcuated (as shown); said member 14 being fabricated of plastic and preferably of the same characteristics as the plastic utilized in the construction of body 8. Backing 14 cooperates with indicia-bearing member 12, together with the included inner sidewalls 11 to define an interior, enclosed compartment Backing 14 is so formed, as through molding, to present centrally, but on opposite sides of its normally vertical axis, a pair of openings 15,15 developed through the displacement of the normally comprehended plastic to form a pair of channels 16,16, respectively, (FIG. 4); each having an inner wall 17, an outer sidewall 18, and a common inner wall 19. It will thus be seen that the extent of channel 16,16 will depend upon the area of plastic displaced. However, as shown in Fig. 3 the said channel 16,16, which collectively constitute a leg retainer, is of relatively limited extent along an axis passing through key holder 1 when in engaged condition. Furthermore, it will be seen that outer sidewalls 18 are displaced inwardly from rim 8 creating voids, as at 20 Said channels 16,16 are aligned with apertures 22,22, respectively, formed in rim portion r of body 2 and which apertures are relatively enlarged so as to contain portions offset, as indicated at 23,23, respectively, form the mean circumference of rim r. Apertures 22,22, at their inner ends, open into compartment c and establish communication between same and the exterior. The spacing between apertures 22,22 is slightly greater than the transverse extent of neck n of key ring 1, but said apertures 22,22 are of such cross section that the distance between their mutually remote portions is less than that between arcuated portions 7,7 of key ring 1. Key ring 1 is adapted for detachable engagement with body 2, with such being effected by projection of legs 4,4 through apertures 22,22, respectively, and extension into compartment c. The walls of apertures 22,22 effect a camming relationship with the respective legs 4,4 so that as the arcuated portions of 7,7 pass therethrough, said legs will be forced toward each other with the development of expected stress. After completion of passage through aperture 22,22 of the arcuated portions 7,7 the latter, under inherent bias, will return to normal relationship, thereby extending laterally outwardly of the said apertures 22,22, in which position accidental dislodgment is inhibited.

At their free ends legs 4,4 project through channels 16,16 which are so constructed and disposed as to be within the normal path of travel of said legs as key holder 1 is inserted into body 2 so that proper retention of said legs 4,4 by channels 16,16 is automatically assured, obviating any need for adjustment by the user. It will be seen that as so retained said legs 4,4 are restrained against any rockable movement of key ring I to prevent damaging ordisplacingengagement with indiciabearing member 12. By the unique retention of said legs 4,4 indicia-bearing 12 may be of any fragile material, since accidental damaging contact with legs 4,4 is effectively inhibited. It should be noted, in passing, that channels 16,16 with their associated structure is of relatively limited extent so as to provide a recognized economy in production which is further enhanced by being formed from plastic inherentin backing 14. Although channels 16,16 are offset from a median plane passing through body 2, the lateral portions 23,23 of apertures 22,22 permit of requisite positionment of key ring 1 to allow legs 4,4 to become properly aligned with said channels 16,16.

In order to withdraw key ring 1 from body 2, forceful, axially directed, outward pulling is required to cause legs 4,4 to be cammed toward each other against the bias of the wire stock for sufficient mutual compression. By the contouring of legs 4,4 and the relative location and character of openings 22,22 in body 2, a stable condition is developed so that key ring 1 and body2 are reliably maintained against accidental relative displacement. Key ring 1 may be easily withdrawn from, or engaged with, body 2 by the application of requisite and properly directed force.

Referring now to FIGS. 6, 7 and 8, A designates a key holder comprised of a key ring, indicated generally at 1', and a ,body 2, the former being structurally identical with key ring 1, and the latter being fundamentally the same as body 2 above described subject to certain modifying exceptions described below. The portions of body 2' corresponding to body 2 which are identical are given like numerals for facilitating comprehension. It will be seen that with key holder A an indicia-bearing member 12 is fittedly received within each undercut 10,10; there being a lens 19 suitably disposed coveringly over each of said indicia-bearing members 12. Thus, key holder A provides a double face arrangement, allowing of maximum advertising or other disclosure. Within compartment c, between members 12 is a leg retainer, in-

dicated generally at 25, which extends bridgingly between diametrally opposed portions of inner wall 11, substantially along the transverse axis of said body 2. Said retainer 25 is relatively narrow and on either side of its central zone is provided with a pair of channels 26, 26' which open toward one side face and are suitably dimensioned for receiving the free I end portions of legs 4,4 of key ring 1'. Thus, said retainer 25 is integral at its ends with the adjacent portions of rim r and is integrally formed therewith as by molding.

It will be seen that channels 26,26 suitably retain legs 4,4

so as to inhibit any rocking movement which might damage either indicia-bearing member 12. Body 2' contains a pair of apertures 27,27 formed in the outer sidewall 8, being thus devoid of any lateral offset, which apertures 27,27 are in alignment with channels 26,26, respectively, whereby the contained legs 4,4 will be inhibited from rockable movement so that potential for disruption or damage of the adjacent member 12 is obviated.

In view of the foregoing it will be observed that the key holders of the present invention uniquely embody means which are of minimal construction for engaging the free end portions of the legs of the related key ring to insure against accidental injurious contact with members 12.

Having described my invention, what I claim and desire to obtain by Letters Patent is l. A key holder comprising a key ring formed from wire stock and having a pair of spaced-apart legs, a body of discoidal form having a rim portion with an outer sidewall and an inner sidewall, said body having a pair of openings extending through its rim portion for establishing communication between the exterior and the interior of said body, said key ring legs being adapted for projection through said openings for extension into said body interior, and channel-forming means provided interiorly of said body for receiving the projectinfi rllortions of said le S. I

2. ey holder as de med in claim 1 and further characterized by a backing member engaged to said body for closing one side of the interior thereof, said channel-forming means being provided integrally with said backing member.

3. A key holder as defined in claim 2 and further characterized by said channel-forming means being spaced from the adjacent portions of the body inner sidewall and being of relatively narrow height.

4. A key holder as defined in claim 3 and further characterized by said channel-forming means being offset from a median plane passing through said body.

5. A key holder as defined in claim 1 and further characterized by said channel-forming means being formed integrally with said body and extending between opposite portions of the inner sidewall.

6. A key holder as defined in claim 5 and further characterized by said channel-forming means being located substantially centrally of the body and being of relatively reduced height.

7. A key holder as defined in claim 6 and further characterized by said channel-forming means being constituted of a pair of channels located on opposite sides of the central zone of said body. 

1. A key holder comprising a key ring formed from wire stock and having a pair of spaced-apart legs, a body of discoidal form having a rim portion with an outer sidewall and an inner sidewall, said body having a pair of openings extending through its rim portion for establishing communication between the exterior and the interior of said body, said key ring legs being adapted for projection through said openings for extension into said body interior, and channel-forming means provided interiorly of said body for receiving the projecting portions of said legs.
 2. A key holder as defined in claim 1 and further characterized by a backing member engaged to said body for closing one side of the interior thereof, said channel-forming means being provided integrally with said backing member.
 3. A key holder as defined in claim 2 and further characterized by said channel-forming means being spaced from the adjacent portions of the body inner sidewall and being of relatively narrow height.
 4. A key holder as defined in claim 3 and further characterized by said channel-forming means being offset from a median plane passing through said body.
 5. A key holder as defined in claim 1 and further characterized by said channel-forming means being formed integrally with said body and extending between opposite portions of the inner sidewall.
 6. A key holder as defined in claim 5 and further characterized by said channel-forming means being located substantially centrally of the body and being of relatively reduced height.
 7. A key holder as defined in claim 6 and further characterized by said channel-forming means being constituted of a pair of channels located on opposite sides of the central zone of said body. 